Monthly Archives: July 2012

Listen up all – this is important news. Students, we especially need your attention.

There are many forms of birth control out there – for both guys and girls. Between over-the-counter products and doctor-prescribed devices and surgeries, options range from:

condoms (male & female)

diaphragms

sponges

caps

shots

pills

IUDs

patches

gels

and we know there are probably even more.

However NOT all of these will prevent STDs. In fact, very FEW of these will prevent STDs. Actually – all but ONE of them will prevent STDs.

Birth control & preventing STDS

Don’t assume your birth control methods will prevent STDs.

Out of that LONG list of birth control options, the male latex condom is the only recommended way to prevent an STD. All others will only reduce the chances of becoming pregnant… but not transmitting HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or any other common STD. Most forms of birth control have to do with regulating the hormones and preventing ovulation, fertilization or insemination. However STD prevention doesn’t exactly work the same way as the reproductive process.

Preventing an STD

So how do you prevent an STD? This might be repeat from sex ed class, but it’s worth mentioning again. Here are some tried and true ways to prevent and STD:

Abstinence. The only 100% way to prevent an STD (or pregnancy for that matter.)

Monogamous relationships. Only sleep with one person. Know FOR SURE that one person does not have an STD.

Condom use. While this isn’t 100% effective, it’s a pretty decent way of preventing the spread of an STD.

Dental dams. This is one method some individuals are using to prevent STDs from oral transmission.

Did we mention abstinence?

Treating an STD

Bottom line – do what you can to prevent an STD. They’re pretty common these days, so don’t be lazy and be on guard. And even if you take the steps to prevent them and still come down with one, there are ways to treat most of them … or at least slow down their transmission rate. Get an STD test to first determine if you have one. You’ll then be able to seek the right treatment on how to treat and prevent. But whatever you do, don’t assume that your birth control pills will prevent you from getting an STD. That couldn’t be further from the truth.